Elastic clasp pad and method of producing the same



Sept. 21, 1937. 1 A. D. STRAHM ELASTIC CLASP PAD AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME .Filed Aug. 28, 1933 Patented Sept. 21, 1937 amen PATENT OFFICE ELASTIC CLASP PAD AND METHOD OF PRO- DUCING THE SAME Allen D. 'Strahm, Tulsa, Okla., assignor to Snappies, Inc., Tulsa, Okla, a corporation of Qklahoma Application August 28,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in elastic clasp pads.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved pad having a metallic base or supporting plate and an elastic member molded thereon provided with a gripping face, whereby the pad may be securely fastened in place in the clasp with only its gripping face exposed to grip an article, and also whereby the elastic member of the pad is held in shape when carrying out its gripping action. l

An important object of the invention is to provide a pad having an elastic gripping member so firmlyfastened to a metallic base plate as to resist creeping or buckling when subjected to lateral thrusts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an elastic pad which will be self-supporting I and which will possess sufficient inherent rigidity to grip and hold an article when overhanging its support.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing in which an example of the invention is shown, and. wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a metallic blank including a plurality of base plates constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective"view showing a strip of completed pads prior to cutting from the strip,

Figure 3 shows the same pads out from the strip,

Figure 4 shows twoof the pads separated and ready for mounting in a clasp,

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a base plate for forming a companion pad to that shown in Figures 3 and 4,

Figure 7 shows the elastic material applied to the metal base plate,

Figure 8 is a perspective of a strip from which a pad has been punched,

' Figure 9 is a perspective View of one of the pads punched from the strip, and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a clasp,

equipped with pads constructed in accordance with the invention. I

In the drawing the numeral Ill (Figures 1 to 5) designates a metal base plate, of which a number i are shown. Each plate is substantially rectangu- 1933, Serial No. 687,142 (Cl. 24-248) lar and provided with rounded corners II. The plates are connected by short metallic shanks l2, so that a plurality may be punched or stamped from a sheet or strip of metal. Any suitable metal may be used, but it is necessary to use only such metals as rubber will adhere to. 'Thin sheets of brass have been found satisfactory-for the purpose. I m I The row or group of metal plates shown in Figure 1 are molded in a strip of rubber l3, as shown in Figure 2, whereby the plates are entirely enveloped. The process whereby the rubber is caused to adhere to the plates is not a part of this invention, but it is essential that the metal and the rubber be united so that the rubber will not creep or buckle on the plate when subjected to lateral or horizontal thrusts. To assist in uniting the plate and the elastic member, perforations M may be made in the plate to permit the rubber to flow through and form ties, as is shown in Figures 1 to 5.

In forming the pad, an elastic gripping member I5 is molded on and around the plate and is considerably thicker than the strip I3. The upper surface or face of each pad member I5 is formed with corrugations It so as to be recessed. The particular shape is not essential as any form of recesses may be used. However, the corrugations are very effective, as will be hereinafter explained. An aperture I1 is provided in the center of each pad and this extends through the center of each plate [0.

After the pads have been molded as shown in Figure 2, a row is cut out of the strip, as is shown in Figure 3. It is pointed out that any number of parallel rows may be molded in a single sheet of rubber and then cut out in rows. The pads are still connected by the rubber covered shanks l2 when out out and by breaking off these shanks the pads are separated. Two of the perforations of the plates may be located to weaken the connection between the plates and the shanks, thus making it easier to break ofi the pads.

In Figures 6 to 9, inclusive, I have shown a companion structure including a metallic base sheet [8 on one side of which is molded a sheet of rubber I 9 formed with corrugations 2!].

with rubber; while in Figures 6 to 9, only one side is so covered. The molded sheet is cut into strips l3 similar to strip l3. Individual pads (Figure 9) are cut from the strip (Figure 8). Each pad includes a base plate Ill, a rubber pad member I5 and lugs 2|. The pad member has corrugations l6.

In Figures 1 to 5, both sides of the metal are covered For the purpose of designation, the pad shown in Figures 1 to 5 may be termed the front pad F, and that shown in Figures 6 to 9, the back pad B. The corrugations 16' of the back pad are made complementary to the corrugations N5 of the front pad, so that when the gripping faces of these two pads are brought together the ridges of one pad will engage in the valleys of the other pad, thereby effecting an undulating gripping of fabrics and the like.

In Figure 10, I have shown the back pad B fastened to the back jaw 25 of a clasp by the lugs 2| which are engaged in said jaw and upset. The front pad F is secured to a narrow front jaw 30 by a rivet 3| and overhangs the same. The metal base plate in the pad F gives it sustaining rigidity so that it will hold its gripping relation when the jaws are closed. By extending the corrugations l6 and I6 transversely of the clasp, an article suspended therefrom will be most efiiciently gripped. The rubber being united to the metal plates will not creep or roll up when subjected to lateral thrusts and this is very important.

While I have shown the two forms of pads with recessed faces formed by the corrugations l6 and 2|], it is to be understood that such corrugations are not essential to the invention and the pad might be produced without recesses.

The description which has been given recites more or less detail of a particular embodiment of the invention, which is set forth as new and useful; however, I desire it understood that the invention is not limited to such exact details of construction, because it is manifest that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An elastic pad clasp comprising, a pair of cooperating clamping members, a pad comprising a body plate having lug portions at its opposite ends bent into engagement with one of said clamping members, said body plate having a covering of rubber, and the other clamping member having a pad comprising a body plate riveted thereto, said second mentioned body plate having a covering of rubber, the meeting face portions of said pads being corrugated to interfit in clamping relation.

2. A clasp of the character described, comprising, a pair of cooperatively connected rigid clamping members, a separate pad element secured on the free end portion of one of said clamping members, said pad element comprising a fiat non-flanged rectangular rigid metal plate having rounded corners and provided with a rubber coating throughout its exposed surface area from margin to margin, the top face portion of the rubber coating being roundingly corrugated, and a complementary pad element on the free end portion of the other clamping member, likewise comprising a similar fiat rigid metal plate having rounded corners and a rubber coating, the cooperating face portion of which is roundingly corrugated to interfit the corrugations of said first described pad element.

ALLEN D. STRAHM. 

